Wheat-cracking machine



, July 27 1926.

S. SNYDER WHEAT CRACKING MACHINE Filed sep. 26. .1924.

shaft for the passage of material from between the toothed surfaces of the cracking devices to the discharge spout; said annular space being co-extensive with and facing the smaller end of said stationary grain cracking member D substantially flush with its inner toothed surface.

rShe rotary member E is formed or provided on its inclined peripheral surface with multiple annular series of ribs or teeth, preferably arranged in groups of five, each group comprising a pair of long ribs e, which extend entirely across the peripheral surface of the cone longitudinally thereof, a pair of short ribs e1, arranged along the margin of said inclined surface at the larger end thereof. between each pair of long ribs, and medial rib c2 of less length than the longer ribs but longer than the short ribs c1, arranged about midway between each of the longer ribs and between the pair of short ribs, as shown in Fig. Q of the drawings. These ribs are preferably of triangular form in cross-section and taper from the smaller end of the cone toward the larger end thereof gradually enlarging in cross-sectional area toward the smaller end of the cone, and each pair of ribs converge slightly toward the smaller end of the cone. They are of various lengths, as described. to compensate for their convergence and to allow the proper entry of the stock to be reduced between the rotary and stationary members. The conical rotary member E is arranged within and surrounded by the toothed casing member D, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, and may be adjustably secured on the shaft A by any suitable means, such as a spline Aand lgroove connection or a set-screw e3, screwed into an interiorly threaded hole in the hub of said rotary member so as to bear upon the shaft A. su'fiiciently tightly to cause the member E to rotate therewith. Said casing member D is formed or provided with multiple series of ribs or teeth similar to the ribs or teeth on the periphery of the rotary conical member E, and of substantially triangular form in cross-section, and tapering toward the larger end of the cone. ln this instance. pairs of mediumleugth ribs cl3 are arranged between pairs of long ribs Z4 and between each of the longer ribs and an adjacent medium-length rib. and also between each pair of mediumlength ribs'there is a short rib Z5 of a marginal series, thus forming groups of seven, though a greater or less number may comprise a group. Each pair of ribs converge slightly toward the smaller end of the cone, as described with referencev to the teeth on the rotary member of the cracking devices.

lt will be observed that the ribs or teeth on both the stationary interiorly-toothed casing member and on the eXteriorly-toothed rotary member are arranged in annular series of different lengths and extend along substantially parallel lines at an angle to the airis of the shaft, and that in cross-section said ribs or teeth are in the form of equi-lateral triangles so as to present oppositely beveled or inclined surfaces which are alike on both sides and the rotary conical member can be rotated in either forward or baclrv rrd direction, so that when the teeth become worn or dull by rotation in one direction the motion can be reversed and the teeth will have the same cutting edges as before. thereby presenting a keen cutting edge for the continued efficiency of the machine, and by changing the motion the teeth can be worn down to nearly the base before it becomes necessary to substitute a new part.

ln operation, the whole wheat enters the annular opening or space between the toothed surfaces of the rotary and stationary cracking members at the smaller end of the cone and by rotation of the inner cone and centrifugal forcethe grains of wheat are crusaed or cracked and carried from the small end of the cone to the larger end thereof and discharged through the spout c1 in suitably cracked condition. A kernel of wheat, being appr Ximately ellipsoidal in shape, with its major axis about twice as great as the minor axis and being small as compared with the length and cross-section of the ribs of the cracking members of the machine, has ample opportunity of being turned over perhaps many times while passing through the machine. New, suppose that the kernel. at some point along its path through the machine occupies such a position that its maior axis lies in a plane approximately at r rht-angles to the axis of the cone; that one end of it proljects beyond the sharp edge of a rib on the casing member'. The result is that the kernel is cut in two by ing cone. Of course7 granules may be produced smaller in size than the small diameter of the kernel if the cracking parts are close enough together. The result of this operation is a product of practical uniformity with a minimum percentage of line material.

It will be observed that the cutting edges of the teeth of the grain reducing devices are more widely separated at the .naller end of the cone than at the larger end thereof as shown in Fig. l, so as to facilitate the entrance of grain between the toothed surfaces of the revolving and stationary members. This is accomplished by inclining the cutting edges of the teeth of the conical member to a greater extent from a aoint about midway thereof to the smaller end of the cone than from said inteinnediate point to the larger end of the cone. ll

a rib on the revolvi* 'Iii Jil() adjusting the 'conical member lalong the length of lthe driving shalt, the space between fthe toothed surfaces off the conical and casing members 'may be .increased .or decreased at will flor reducing or .cracking the grains of wheat to .a greater vor vless extent as .desired in the operation of the machine.

Having .thus described .my invention, what l claim as new andrdesi-re 'to secure by Letters .Patent of the United vStates, is:

l. .A grain cracn'ing machine comp-rising upright trame and-casing members arranged in separated relation and having concave confronting 4surfaces carrying centrally disposed shaft bearings; one of ksaid members having a hopper -thereon and the other provided 'with a discharge spout, a shaft journaled in said bearings and having rsecured thereon and revoluble 'therewith `a conical eXteriorly-toothed grain cracking member, a stationary interiorly-toothed .cracking member ol' substantially the vform of the frustum of ahollow cone surrounding said conical memberand having .its opposite Aends abutting against `and bolted to vertical sides ortsaid upright members; said vconcave snrlfaces surrounding :said shalt each .lacing one end of said conical .member and 'providing an unobstructed :space around the .shaft for the passage "of grain to and 'between the toothed surfaces of said stationarg7 and rotary members and 'outwardly therefrom.

2. A .grain cracking emachine 'comprising upright frame `and casing :members having confronting concave .portions lcarrying centrally 'disposed shaft bearings, a shalt vjonrnaled `in said bearings land having secured thereon and revoluble therewith a conical e2:teriorlvtoothed `grmln cracking xmember, a stationary inteniorly-to'othed cracling'n'iember otsnbstantially the .form vof the frnctum of a hollow cone surrounding 'said yconical member ,and havin-g .its opposite ends abutting against .and bolted to 'the 'vertical sides of said upright 'frame and casing members; the teeth `on said conical and stationary .members being arranged in 'annular series, and the teeth on each member extendinglongitudinallv ythereof :substantially `parallel with the teeth on the other member and dialnetrically 'opposite teeth being arranged 'substantially in ralinement with the shalt; the concave surfaces-o1 "said uprightiframe and asing members facing the ends o1e 'said conical grain cracking members .so as to Yprovide an unobstructed space around lthe shaft flor the passage of grain to vand between the toothed surztaces of said members yand out- Wardly therefrom.

l 3. The combination, in grain cracking machine, oit a'shaft carrying'a rotar;7 crack` ing `member 'arranged within a -hollovs7 stationary cracking member each having sn'bstantially the torni of the x:rnstum of a cone; said lstationaryv .member `having :on :its inner side and said rotary ,member having on its inclined periphery multiple annular series of substantially straight ribs off 'triangular form in cross-section extending longitudinally thereof; the Aribs on 'one of said members being substantially .parallel with the ribs on the other member and diametrically opposite ribs on .each member .arranged substantially in .alinement with said shalt atea-n acute angle thereto; sar-id conical Vmember being rotatable in either forward lor backward direction, so that when :the teeth become worn or dnllby rotation in one direction the motion can be .reversed and .a :new cutting edge :presented by rotation L.the opposite direction.

l. rlhe combination., in a grain cracking machine, ol" upright .'fraane 'and casing menabers arranged iin slightlyseparated relation and supporting 'therebetween a :combined grain cracking .and :casing member .having substantially ,the form of :the trustum of a hollow cone .interiori-ly toothed and having radially extending .flanges .at :opposite ends thereoll fitted against the vertical confronting sides of said combined Vframe "and casing members, and fastening bolts or the like projecting from 'said .confronting sides through openings in .said flanges Yfor .securing said hollow cone member and said trame and casing members together, 'a .driving shalt having its bearing-s on said upright casing members, and a perinherally-toothed grain cracking member 'iin-'ed on said shaft within' said hollow Icone member; one oft said upright casingimembers having .a feed :hopper thereon. and the other provided with 'a discharge spent.

5'. The combination, in a grain cracking machine, of upright -frame 'and cafsingim'embers .arranged in slightly `separated relation and supporting thenebetween a 'combined grain cracking `and casing' member having substantially `the form 'of the rustnm oi" a hollow cone interiori-ly toothed and :having radially extending flanges 'at opposite ends thereof fitted :against 'the vertical confront-- ing' .sides of said combined trame and cas ing members, and fastening bolts or the like projecting from 'said confronting sides through openings .in said han-ges for securing said hollow cone lmember.and said'frame and casing .members together, a driving shaft having its bearings on said upright casing members, and a peripherally-toothed grain cracking member lined on v.sa/id shaft within said hollow kcone member; .one of said upright casing members having 'a feed hopper thereon and the other provided with a discharge spoot.; said :hopper-carryi'ng member having a concave V.portion surrounding said shaft co-efitensive with and 'facing the smaller end ol sai-d stationaryv ain oracle ing member substantially flush i its 'inner toothed surface, vso as 'to vprovide ian :open

Utl

space around the shaft between it and said end through which grain may pass freely to and between the toothed surfaces of said stationary and revoluble n embers.

G. rEhe combination, in a grain cracking machine, of upright frame and casing members arranged in slightly separated relation and supporting therebetween a combined grain cracking and casing member having substantially the form of the frustuin of a hollow cone interiorly toothed and having` radially entending 'lfanges on opposite ends thereof fitted inst the ve""ical confronting sides of said frame and casing members; said flanges having open-ended slots therein to receive fastening bolts or the like project ing from said confronting sides through said slots for securing said hollow cone member and said frame and casing members together, a shaft having its bearings on said upright casing members and a conical peripherallytoothed gain cracking member fitted on said shaft within said. hollow cone member; one ofpsaid frame and casing members having a reed hopper thereon and the other provid ed with a discharge spout.

7. rhe combination, in grain cracking machine, of upright frame and casing inem-- bers arranged in slightly separated relation and supporting therebetween a combined.

grain cracking` and casing member having substantially the form of the frustum of a hollow cone interiorly toothed and having radially extending flanges at opposite ends thereof fitted against the vert-i al confronting sides of said combined frame and casing members, and fastening bolts or the like projecting from said confronting sir es through openings in said flanges for securing said hollow cone member and said frame and casing members together, a driving shaft having its bearings on said upright casing members and a peripherally-toothed grain cracking member fixed on said shaft within said hollow cone member; one of said upright casing members having a feed hopper thereon and the other provided with a discharge spout, and each having a concave portion surrounding said shaft and co-ex- 'tensive with and facing one end of said rotary grain cracking` member substantially flush. with the inner toothed surface of said stationary grain cracking member so as to provide an open space around the shaft at each end of said rotary member.

8. The combination, in a grain cracking machine, of upright frame and casing members arranged in slightly separated relation and supporting therebetween a combined grain cracking and casing member having substantially the form of the frustum of a hollow cone interi rly toothed and having r dlally extending annular flanges on opposite ends thereof fitted in correspondingly shaped recesses in the vertical confronting within said hollow cone member; one of saidy upright casing members having a feed hopper thereon and the other provided with a discharge spout, and each having a concave portion surrounding said shaft and facing 'ne ends of said grain cracking members subally fl i h with the inner toothed sursaid hollow cone member so as to vide an open space around the shaft beit and the toothed surfaces of said stationary and revoluble members at each end n cone.

9. A grain cracking machine comprising upright fram and casing members having annular recesses .in their confronting sides and supporting therebetween a combined grain cracking and casing member of substantially the form of the frustum of a hollow cone interiorly toothed. and having radially extendg annular flanges on opposite ends thereof 1; ed in said annular recesses in said frame and casing member; and fastening bolts or the like projecting from said confronting sides through said flanges for securing said hollow cone member and said frame and casing members together, a driving shaft having its bearings in said upright casing members and having secured thereon a peripherallytoothed gra in cracking member arranged within said hollow cone member; one of said upright casing members having a feed hopper thereon and the other provided with discharge spout, and each having a concave portion surrounding said shaft and facing the ends of said grain cracking members substantially flush, with the inner toothed surface of said hollow cone member so as to provide an open space the shaft between it and said toothed surface at each end of the cone.

l0. ln combination, with a machine frame or casing comprising an upright casing member supporting a hopper and having on the inner side thereof a substantially concave centrally disposed portion, a second upright casing member having a discharge spout and movably support-ed in spaced relation to said hopper-supporting member, and an intermediate interiorly toothed casing member of substantially the form of the frustum of a hollow cone removably supported between said upright casing members, a shaft journaled in bearings supported on said upright casing members and carrying a coneshaped peripherally-toothed or ribbed member arranged within said hollow cone member; the concave portion of said hopper-supporting member extending around said shaft and terminating substantially flush with the toothed surface of said hollow cone member at the smaller end of the cone; the upper portion of the casing' member carrying the discharge spout being concave in form and its concave surface extending around said shaft and terminating substantially flush with the interiorly toothed surface of the larger end of said hollow cone member.

l1. A grain cracking machine comprising a stationary combined grain cracking and casing member having substantially the the form of the frustum of a hollow cone with an interiorly toothed surface and secured to and between upright casing members, one of which has a feed hopper thereon and the other a discharge spout; a shaft having its bearings on said upright casing members, and a cone-shaped, peripherallytoothed grain cracking member adjustably secured on said shaft within said stationary member; the latter member having` on opposite ends there-of radially extending flanges .fitting flatwise against the inner vertical confronting sides of said upright casing members, and fastening bolts projecting from said sides through openings in said flanges for securing said stationary member and said upright members together.

12..In a grain cracking machine, a cracking member of substantially conical form having substantially straight ribs or teeth on the inclined surface thereof extending in the direction of its anis at an acute angle thereto and of triangular form in cross-section and inclined or beveled alike on both sides; said ribs being of different lengths and arranged in annular series, the ribs of one series being comparatively short and extending around the larger end of the cone and the ribs of each successive series being longer than those of the next preceding series.

13. ln a grain cracking machine, a rotary grain cracking member of conical form arranged within a stationary cracking member having substantially the form of the frustruin of a hollow cone, each of said members having substantially straight ribs or teeth thereon extending in the direction of its anis at an acute angle thereto; said ribs being of triangular form in cross-section and inclined or beveled alike on both sides; the ribs on each member being of different lengths and arranged in annular series, the ribs of one series being comparatively short and extending around the larger end of the cone and the ribs of each successive series being longer than those of the next preceding series.

ln testimony whereof l atx my signature.

SIMON SNYDER. 

